FBI, police investigating missing bank funds

Automated teller machine found “tampered” with

Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with officers from the Basehor Police Department, are conducting a probe into funds found missing from an automated teller machine at the Basehor branch of First State Bank and Trust.

Basehor police were called to the bank Monday, Feb. 7 after bank employees suspected that the bank's ATM machine had been "tampered with," said Jilinda White, a senior vice president of retail with First State Bank and Trust.

Basehor police chief Terry Horner said agents from the FBI were called to the scene to investigate in compliance with federal law, which stipulates federal bank robbery and related crimes be turned over to the bureau.

"Anytime a bank is federally insured, with certain crimes like robbery, burglary or larceny, the FBI is called," Horner said. "As chief, I contacted the FBI and they sent an agent that day. From there, it's been a joint investigation."

Neither agents from the bureau, local police officers nor bank representatives said they could disclose many details surrounding the case or its investigation, including how much money was found missing from the ATM machine.

Special Agent Robert Herndon of the FBI said only that a number of interviews had been conducted and that evidence had been collected relating to the case.

"At this point in time, we're being very guarded with what we're releasing," Herndon said. "Certainly if anyone has any information we would encourage them to call us or the police department."

White said that none of the bank's customer accounts were affected by the theft.

To his knowledge, this is the first time Basehor has had funds allegedly stolen from any of its financial institutions. Horner said he and the police department had recently conducted seminars with employees at each of the city's three banks establishing policies and procedures in case of an armed robbery.

Anyone with information relating to the case is to contact the Basehor Police Department at (913) 724-1313 or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (816) 512-8200.